Method and apparatus for improving performance and user experience of a mobile broadcast receiver

ABSTRACT

Various techniques for receiving broadcast at a mobile broadcast receiver are described. In an aspect, the broadcast receiver provides user notification and/or automatically launches an application based on user preferences. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver improves channel switching time by predicting future channel selection based on real-time monitoring of user inputs. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver supports drag-and-drop user interface. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver provides additional information associated with a selected broadcast stream. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver processes a broadcast stream and sends output data to an external device for further processing and/or display. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver simultaneously displays live content and stored content. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver simultaneously receives multiple broadcast streams for displayed on one or more display units. In another aspect, the broadcast receiver collects user statistics and sends the statistics to a network entity.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present Application for Patent is a Continuation of patentapplication Ser. No. 12/474,057 filed May 28, 2009, which claimspriority to Provisional Application No. 61/057,082, entitled METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE AND USER EXPERIENCE OF A MOBILEBROADCAST RECEIVER, filed May 29, 2008, and assigned to the assigneehereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

I. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication, and morespecifically to techniques for receiving broadcast information.

II. Background

A broadcast system may broadcast a number of channels carrying variouscontents for reception by mobile broadcast receivers. A mobile broadcastreceiver is a receiver that is capable of receiving signals fromterrestrial and/or satellite broadcast systems and is intended to becarried around by a user (instead of being stationary).

A user operating a mobile broadcast receiver may select a channel orcontent of interest to the user. Content may be streamed or real timeaudio/video or data cast content. The mobile broadcast receiver maydetermine pertinent parameters for the selected channel and thendemodulate and decode the channel in accordance with these parameters toobtain decoded data. The mobile broadcast receiver may further processthe decoded data to obtain the content sent in the selected channel. Themobile broadcast receiver may continuously process the selected channeland provide the content in a streaming manner as long as the channel isselected for reception.

The mobile broadcast receiver may be a portable device with limited userinterface and display capabilities. It may be desirable to improveperformance and user experience with such limited capabilities.

SUMMARY

Various techniques for receiving broadcast information at a mobilebroadcast receiver are described herein. These techniques may simplifyuser interaction and/or support more features and flexibility with thelimited capabilities of the mobile broadcast receiver.

In an aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver provides user notificationand/or automatically launches an application based on user preferencesfor broadcast contents. In one design, the mobile broadcast receiverreceives user selections for different broadcast contents over a periodof time, determines user preferences for broadcast contents based on theuser selections, and stores the user preferences. The mobile broadcastreceiver thereafter monitors incoming broadcast content and providesuser notification and/or automatically launches an application based onthe incoming broadcast content and the user preferences.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver improves channelswitching time by predicting future channel selection based on real-timemonitoring of user inputs/activity. In one design, the mobile broadcastreceiver predicts a channel based on user input (e.g., to highlight achannel), processes the predicted channel prior to selection of thechannel, and provides content from the predicted channel if selected bythe user.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver supports adrag-and-drop user interface. In one design, the mobile broadcastreceiver receives user input to drag and drop a highlighted channel ontoa first window, activates an application associated with the firstwindow, processes the highlighted channel with the application, anddisplays the content from the highlighted channel on a second window.The size and/or placement of the second window may be determined basedon information associated with the first window.

In another aspect, additional information may be associated with abroadcast stream and provided when the broadcast stream is selected. Theadditional information may comprise product information, promotionalinformation, channel information, etc. In one design, the mobilebroadcast receiver displays a broadcast stream, receives user selectionof the broadcast stream, retrieves additional information associatedwith the broadcast stream in response to the user selection, andpresents the additional information to the user in the same window or byopening a new display window on the same or different display unit.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver partially or completelyprocesses a broadcast stream and sends output data to an external devicefor further processing and/or display. In one design, the output datacomprises content from the broadcast stream, and the external devicedisplays the content. In another design, the mobile broadcast receiverdemodulates and decodes the broadcast stream to obtain the output data,and the external device decompresses the output data to obtain contentfrom the broadcast stream. The mobile broadcast receiver may also sendthe output data to one or more additional external devices forprocessing and/or display, or the mobile broadcast receiver may havemore than one display to receive output.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver simultaneously displayslive content and stored content. In one design, the mobile broadcastreceiver processes a broadcast stream to obtain live content, receivesuser selection to display stored content with the live content,retrieves the stored content from memory, and displays the live contentand the stored content simultaneously.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver simultaneously receivesmultiple broadcast streams, which may be displayed on one or moredisplay units. In one design, the multiple broadcast streams aredisplayed on one display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver. Inanother design, a first broadcast stream is displayed on a first displayunit at the mobile broadcast receiver, and a second broadcast stream isdisplayed on a second display unit at an external device. In yet anotherdesign, the multiple broadcast streams may be displayed on one displayunit at an external device.

In another aspect, the mobile broadcast receiver collects userstatistics and sends the collected statistics back to a designatednetwork entity. In one design, the mobile broadcast receiver receivesuser selections for broadcast contents over a period of time, determinesand collects statistics of user viewing habits based on the userselections, and reports the collected statistics to the designatednetwork entity.

Various aspects and features of the disclosure are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a mobile broadcast receiver.

FIG. 2 shows a process for receiving broadcast with user notificationand/or automatic application launch.

FIG. 3 shows an example display screen at the mobile broadcast receiver.

FIG. 4 shows a process for receiving broadcast with channel prediction.

FIG. 5 shows an example display screen supporting drag-and-drop userinterface.

FIG. 6 shows a process for receiving broadcast with drag-and-dropfeature.

FIG. 7 shows a process for receiving broadcast with additionalinformation.

FIG. 8 shows a process for receiving a broadcast stream with multipledevices.

FIG. 9 shows a process for displaying live content and stored content.

FIG. 10 shows a process for receiving multiple broadcast streams.

FIG. 11 shows a process for collecting and reporting user statistics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The techniques described herein may be used with a variety of broadcastsystems and mobile broadcast standards. A few examples of such systemsand/or standards include, but are not limited to, MediaFLO^(Tm), DigitalVideo Broadcasting for Handhelds (DVB-H), Digital Video Broadcasting forSatellites (DVB-SH), China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) andIntegrated Services Digital Broadcasting for Terrestrial TelevisionBroadcasting (ISDB-T) systems. MediaFLO™, DVB-H and ISDB-T supportdigital transmission of multimedia over a terrestrial communicationnetwork. MediaFLO^(Tm) is described in a document TIA-1099, entitled“Forward Link Only Air Interface Specification for Terrestrial MobileMultimedia Multicast,” dated August 2006. DVB-H is described in adocument ETSI EN 300 744, entitled “Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB);Framing Structure, Channel Coding and Modulation for Digital TerrestrialTelevision,” dated November 2004. ISDB-T is described in a document ARIBSTD-B31, entitled “Transmission System for Digital TerrestrialTelevision Broadcasting,” dated July 2003. These documents are publiclyavailable.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a design of a mobile broadcast receiver110, which may be capable of receiving MediaFLO™, DVB-H, ISDB-T and/orother broadcast systems. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may be astand-alone receiver or may be part of a cellular telephone, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a wireless communication device, a handhelddevice, a wireless modem, etc.

Within mobile broadcast receiver 110, an antenna 112 receives signalstransmitted by broadcast stations (not shown in FIG. 1) and provides areceived signal to a receiver (RCVR) 114. Receiver 114 conditions (e.g.,filters, amplifies, frequency downconverts, and digitizes) the receivedsignal and provides samples. A demodulator/decoder (Demod/decoder) 116demodulates and decodes the samples for a channel of interest andprovides decoded data. An audio/ video processor 118 decompresses thedecoded data and provides content from the channel. The decompressionmay include video decoding, audio decoding, content decoding, etc., andmay also be referred to as decoding, decrypting, etc. An output deriver120 processes (e.g., converts to analog, filters, and amplifies) thecontent and generates one or more output signals suitable forpresentation on one or more output devices. The output device(s) mayinclude a display unit 122 (e.g., an LCD screen), an audio unit 124(e.g., a loudspeaker), and/or other output devices.

A user interface unit 128 receives user inputs via a keypad, a touchscreen, and/or other input devices. A controller/processor 130 directsoperation at mobile broadcast receiver 110. A memory 132 stores programcodes and data used by processing units within mobile broadcast receiver110. Memory 132 may also store decoded data and/or content from one ormore channels, user inputs and selections, user preferences forbroadcast contents, etc. A communication (Comm) unit 134 supportscommunication with other external devices such as an external device150. Communication unit 134 may support wireline communication (as shownin FIG. 1) and/or wireless communication.

External device 150 may be a laptop computer, a digital television, orsome other computing or multimedia device, including a device withlimited functionality, such as, for example, an external display devicethat has no other capabilities. Within external device 150, avideo/audio processor 152 decompresses decoded data and providescontent. An output driver 154 processes the content from video/audioprocessor 152 and generates one or more output signals suitable forpresentation on a display unit 156 and/or an audio unit 158. Acommunication unit 160 supports wireline and/or wireless communicationwith mobile broadcast receiver 110 and/or other devices. Acontroller/processor 162 directs operation at external device 150. Amemory 164 stores program codes and data used by processing units withinexternal device 150 and/or other data.

Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may have limited user interface anddisplay capabilities. Various techniques are described herein to improveperformance and user experience with such limited capabilities at mobilebroadcast receiver 110.

In one aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 maintains a history of userinteraction such as user selections of different contents, the time eachuser selection is made, etc. The different contents may include news,sport scores, stock quotes, weather reports, traffic reports, real-timevideo streams, real-time audio streams, non-real time video clips,non-real time audio clips, etc. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 maydetermine user preferences for different contents, the order ofpreferences for different contents, the preferred viewing times fordifferent contents, etc. based on the history of user interactions. Inone design, whenever a user selection is made, mobile broadcast receiver110 determines the content being selected, the time of the selection,etc. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 then updates the user preferences,e.g., by incrementing a count for the selected content and noting thetime of the selection. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may then determinethe user preferences for different contents based on the number of timeseach type of content is selected.

The user may also explicitly enter the user preferences. For example,the user may enter the types of content preferred by the user, a timewindow during which each type of content is desired, whether the userdesires notification or automatic launch of application for each type ofcontent, etc. Broadcast 110 may store the user preferences entered bythe user and/or user preferences learned from user interactions.

Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may receive broadcast information in thebackground. The broadcast information may contain real-time streamingcontent intended to be consumed by the user or discarded (and notsaved). Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may monitor the incoming contentand/or stored program guide data on the mobile broadcast receiver andmay notify the user and/or automatically launch an application based onthe user preferences. For example, if the incoming content matches oneof the user's preferred contents, then mobile broadcast receiver 110 maydisplay an alert of the incoming content on display unit 122, announcean alert of the incoming content on audio unit 124, and/or automaticallylaunch an application associated with the incoming content. The usernotification may result in user selection of the incoming content, andmobile broadcast receiver 110 may then process the incoming content asdirected by the user. The launched application may start streaming dataor a/v content, or prompt a user for input (play, don't play, store tomemory, ignore etc.) Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may notify the userand/or automatically launch an application based on the user preferencesall the time. Alternatively, this feature may be enabled only duringcertain times, e.g., only after work hours.

FIG. 2 shows a design of a process 200 for receiving broadcastinformation with user notification and/or automatic application launch.Process 200 may be performed by mobile broadcast receiver 110. Userselections for different broadcast contents may be received over aperiod of time (block 212). User preferences for broadcast contents maybe determined based on the user selections (block 214). Alternatively oradditionally, the user preferences for broadcast contents may beidentified based on user inputs. The user preferences for broadcastcontents may be stored (block 216). Incoming broadcast content,including but not limited to electronic program guide (EPG) data,associated meta data etc., may be monitored at the mobile broadcastreceiver (block 218). The mobile broadcast receiver may provide usernotification and/or automatically launch an application based on theincoming broadcast content and the user preferences for broadcastcontents, e.g., all the time or only during designated times (block220).

Whenever the user selects a new channel for reception, mobile broadcastreceiver 110 may perform a set of tasks in order to acquire, process,and display the content from the new channel. These tasks may includeobtaining pertinent parameters for the new channel, demodulating anddecoding the new channel in accordance with the parameters, anddecompressing decoded data to obtain the content from the new channel.The amount of time needed to change channel may be relatively long,e.g., over 1 second. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may freeze thedisplay with the last decoded frame from the old channel or blank thedisplay during the time to acquire and process the new channel. However,freezing or blanking the display may be annoying to the user.

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 improves channelswitching time by predicting future channel selection based on real-timemonitoring of user inputs/activity. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 maypredict a channel that might be selected by the user and may demodulateand decode the predicted channel (or portions of the data busts, packetsetc.), prior to its selection by the user, in order to achieve fasterchannel switching.

FIG. 3 shows an example display screen 300 at mobile broadcast receiver110. In this example, display screen 300 includes a main area 310 and adisplay window 320. Main area 310 may show content from a currentlyselected channel, menu, icons, etc. Display window 320 may show anelectronics service guide (ESG), which may also be referred to as aprogram guide, a channel guide, etc. The ESG may list various channelsand the content of each channel. In general, display screen 300 mayinclude any number of areas and windows for any type of content.

The user may bring up the ESG at any time by clicking on an appropriatekey (e.g., an “ESG” key) on mobile broadcast receiver 110. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may also automatically bring up the ESG if theuser clicks on any one of a designated set of keys, or the ESG mayautomatically be brought up based on histories, profile, preference etc.(example would be the ESG data shows a program is coming on I might beinterested in so the MBR launches the ESG and notifies me of the programwith options to watch, record etc.). In any case, mobile broadcastreceiver 110 may monitor user navigation through the ESG to predict thenext channel selection.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the ESG displays a listing of channelsand their contents. A cursor 322 indicates a channel that is currentlyhighlighted. Cursor 322 moves up and down the ESG in response to userkey action. If the user moves the cursor past the top or the bottom ofdisplay window 320 (or horizontal like on a TV ESG when scrolling thoughtime), then another section of the ESG may be retrieved and displayed ondisplay window 320.

In one design, mobile broadcast receiver 110 demodulates and decodes thechannel/packets/burst that is currently highlighted by the user butwhich may not have been selected for immediate viewing by the user. Theuser may scroll through the ESG, and the currently highlighted channelmay be determined by a “scroll up” or a “scroll down” command. The usermay also enter a specific channel, e.g., via a keypad, and the enteredchannel may be highlighted. In any case, mobile broadcast receiver 110may demodulate and decode the currently highlighted channel, prior toits selection, in order to improve channel switching time. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may be able to more quickly display the channelif and when the channel is selected by the user.

In another design, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may predict futurechannel selection by the user and demodulates and decodes a channel thatmight be selected by the user (or may chose to start by opening packetson neighboring channels immediately before and following as I scroll).Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may monitor channel sequences and predicta channel based on information such as the direction of scroll, thespeed of scroll, the manner of scroll, etc. Mobile broadcast receiver110 may determine the predicted channel based on the direction and speedof scroll, and the predicted channel may be in advance of the currentlyhighlighted channel. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may demodulate anddecode the predicted channel for possible display if the channel isselected by the user. The user may continuously press the “scroll up”button if the user is trying to reach a specific channel that isrelatively far from the current channel. In this case, mobile broadcastreceiver 110 may ignore the rapidly changing highlighted channels, untilthe “scroll up” button is released, and may then demodulate and decodethe highlighted channel after the release of the button.

The user may click on the “scroll up” button at a somewhat periodic rateto surf channels. In this case, mobile broadcast receiver 110 mayprocess and display each highlighted channel for which sufficient timeis given to perform these tasks. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may alsoprocess one or more channels ahead of the currently highlighted channel(if resources are available) in anticipation of the user navigating inthis direction. For example, if four channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 are orderedfrom 1 through 4, when mobile broadcast receiver 110 may start acquiringchannels 2 and 3 upon receiving a channel up while on channel 1. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may abandon channel 2 and start acquiringchannels 3 and 4 upon receiving a channel up while on channel 2. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may also start acquiring multiple channels inmultiple directions (e.g., in opposite directions of a channel scroll).Alternatively, the mobile broadcast receiver may be configured to openpackets on neighboring channels that immediately precede and follow thechannel of focus while the channels are scrolled.

Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may also predict a channel based on otherinformation such as the user history or preference, the content on eachchannel, etc. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may demodulate and decode apredicted channel if its content matches one of the contents preferredby the user.

FIG. 4 shows a design of a process 400 for receiving broadcastinformation with channel prediction. Process 400 may be performed bymobile broadcast receiver 110. A channel may be predicted based on userinput (block 412). In one design, user input highlighting a channel maybe received, and the highlighted channel or a channel ahead of thehighlighted channel may be selected as the predicted channel. In anotherdesign, user preferences may be determined based on user inputs over aperiod of time, and a channel having content matching the userpreferences may be selected as the predicted channel. The predictedchannel may be processed at the mobile broadcast receiver prior to userselection of the channel (block 414). Content from the predicted channelmay be provided if selected by the user (block 416).

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 supports adrag-and-drop user interface. This user interface may simplify userinteraction and/or support more features and flexibility.

FIG. 5 shows an example display screen 500 that supports a drag-and-dropuser interface. In this example, display screen 500 includes a main area510, a display window 520, and launch windows 530 a and 530 b. Main area510 may show content from a selected channel, menu, icons, etc. Displaywindow 520 may show channels from an ESG. Launch windows 530 a and 530 bmay be used to launch video/audio/data (e.g., stock quotes or otherstreaming data) applications. Each launch window 530 may be associatedwith a specific video/audio/data application, a specific display areawithin main area 510, a specific display mode, etc.

The user may highlight a channel within display window 520 and may dragand drop the highlighted channel onto main display 510 (or onto one of afirst main display 510 a, second main display 510 b, etc. if the mobilebroadcast receiver has multiple displays—not illustrated) causing themobile broadcast receiver to launch a new window 530 a or 530 b. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may then launch the application associated withthe launch window 530 a or 530 b onto which the highlighted channel isdropped. The highlighted channel may then be processed and displayed ina display window associated with the selected launch window.

The user may highlight another channel and drag and drop the highlightedchannel onto main display 510 causing another launch window. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may then launch the application associated withthis launch window. The highlighted channel may then be processed anddisplayed in a display window associated with this launch window.Multiple channels may be displayed concurrently on side-by-side displaywindows or with picture-in-picture.

FIG. 6 shows a design of a process 600 for receiving broadcastinformation with drag-and-drop feature. Process 600 may be performed bymobile broadcast receiver 110. User input to drag and drop a highlightedchannel onto a first window at the mobile broadcast receiver may bereceived (block 612). The highlighted channel may be dragged from awindow displaying an electronics service guide. An applicationassociated with the first window may be activated (block 614). Thehighlighted channel may be processed with the application (block 616).Content from the highlighted channel may be displayed on a second windowat the mobile broadcast receiver (block 618). The size and/or placementof the second window may be determined based on information associatedwith the first window, or alternatively, the second window size and/orplacement may be user defined.

User input to drag and drop a second highlighted channel onto a thirdwindow at the mobile broadcast receiver may be received (block 620). Asecond application associated with the third window may be activated(block 622). The second highlighted channel may be processed with thesecond application (block 624). Content from the second highlightedchannel may be displayed on a fourth window at the mobile broadcastreceiver (block 626). The second and fourth windows for the twohighlighted channels may be non-overlapping and displayed side-by-side.Alternatively, the second and fourth windows may be overlapping anddisplayed with picture-in-picture.

In another aspect, additional information may be associated with abroadcast stream. The additional information may comprise productinformation, promotional information, program/channel information, etc.The additional information may be sent inband within the broadcaststream, received previously and stored on mobile broadcast receiver 110,or downloaded as needed. A reverse link (or uplink) may be set up tosend a request for the additional information, which may then be sent onthe forward link (or downlink) in response to the request.

The user may select the broadcast stream, e.g., with a pointing device.An application may be launched in response to the user selection. Theapplication may retrieve the additional information associated with thebroadcast stream and present the additional information to the user. Theadditional information may be presented in the same window or in adifferent window. The user may also drag and drop a data stream ontodisplay 510 and a new dedicated window will open for just that datastream.

FIG. 7 shows a design of a process 700 for receiving broadcastinformation with additional information. Process 700 may be performed bymobile broadcast receiver 110. A broadcast stream may be displayed onthe mobile broadcast receiver (block 712). User selection of thebroadcast stream may be received (block 714). Additional informationassociated with the broadcast stream may be retrieved in response to theuser selection (block 716). For block 716, the additional informationmay be sent inband in the broadcast stream and may be retrieved from thebroadcast stream. The additional information may also be stored at themobile broadcast receiver prior to the user selection of the broadcaststream. The additional information may also be downloaded in response toreceiving the user selection of the broadcast stream. The additionalinformation may comprise information for a product presented by thebroadcast stream, promotional information for the product,program/channel information for the broadcast stream, some otherinformation, or a combination thereof. The additional information may bepresented on the mobile broadcast receiver (block 718).

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 demodulates and decodesa broadcast stream and sends the content to external device 150.External device 150 may display the content on display unit 156. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may be a handheld device (e.g., a cellular phone)with a relatively small display unit 122. External device 150 may be alarger device (e.g., a laptop computer or a digital television) having alarger and/or higher resolution display unit 156. Displaying the contenton a larger display unit 156 may improve user viewing of the broadcaststream.

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 partially processes abroadcast stream, and external device 150 completes the processing ofthe broadcast stream. This receiver architecture may provide additionalbroadcast portability and user flexibility

A broadcast receiver chain may include various functions such as, e.g.,channel demodulation, channel decoding, video/audio decompression,protocol layer processing, etc. These various functions may be performedby a single device such as mobile broadcast receiver 110. Alternatively,multiple devices may perform the functions in the broadcast receiverchain, which may provide additional user portability and flexibility forreceiving a broadcast stream (e.g., a video/audio stream) in a mobileenvironment. One device (e.g., mobile broadcast receiver 110) mayperform physical layer receiver functions such as channel demodulationand channel decoding. Another device (external device 150) may performvideo/audio decompression and protocol layer processing and may alsoprovide display functionality.

In general, the functions in the broadcast receiver chain may bepartitioned among multiple devices in various manners. The partitioningof the receiver functions among different devices may be based onvarious factors such as:

Processing power—mobile broadcast receiver 110 may perform tasks thatrequire less processing power and improve power efficiency,

Mobility—mobile broadcast receiver 110 may have a smaller form factor toimprove mobility, and

Security—mobile broadcast receiver 110 may include decryptionfunctionality so that the user can take histogram/her broadcast servicesubscription with him/her and can receive contents covered by thebroadcast service subscription on more than one external device.

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 receives and processesone or more broadcast streams and sends output data (e.g., decoded dataor content) for the one or more broadcast streams to multiple externaldevices at the same time or at different times. The communication linkbetween mobile broadcast receiver 110 and the external devices may bewireless link (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) and/or wireline link(e.g., LAN). The transmission from mobile broadcast receiver 110 may beeither point-to-point or multicast and may be within a wireless orwireline network. Mobile broadcast receiver 110 may send the same outputdata to all external devices. Alternatively, mobile broadcast receiver110 may send different output data to different external devices.

An external device may receive content that is ready for presentation ona display unit within that external device. Alternatively, an externaldevice may receive decoded data from mobile broadcast receiver 110 andmay perform decompression and/or other processing on the decoded data toobtain content suitable for presentation on a display unit. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 can act as a multicast server in which the usercan select various contents that may be displayed on one or multipledevices at a selected time.

FIG. 8 shows a design of a process 800 for processing and displaying abroadcast stream with multiple devices. A broadcast stream may beprocessed at a mobile broadcast receiver to obtain output data (block812). The output data may be sent to a first external device foradditional processing and/or display (block 814). In one design, theoutput data comprises content from the broadcast stream, and the firstexternal device displays the content. In another design, the mobilebroadcast receiver demodulates and decodes the broadcast stream toobtain the output data, and the first external device decompresses theoutput data to obtain content from the broadcast stream. The output datamay thus comprise (i) content suitable for display or (ii)intermediate/decoded data to be further processed by the first externaldevice to obtain the content suitable for display.

The output data may be sent to a second external device for additionalprocessing and/or display (block 816). The output data may be sentsimultaneously to the first and second external devices via multicasttransmission. Alternatively, the output data may be sent separately tothe first and second external devices via point-to-point transmission.

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 simultaneously displayslive content and stored content on display unit 122, or on one or moreof display units 122 a, 122 b, etc., (not illustrated) if the mobilebroadcast receiver has multiple displays. Mobile broadcast receiver 110may decode a channel selected by the user and store the content from theselected channel in memory 132, e.g., as directed by the user.Thereafter, mobile broadcast receiver 110 may process a channel selectedby the user and obtain live content from the selected channel. Mobilebroadcast receiver 110 may display the live content along with thestored content (e.g., in response to user selection) on display unit122. The live content and the stored content may be received from thesame channel at different times or may be received from differentchannels.

FIG. 9 shows a design of a process 900 for simultaneously displayinglive content and stored content. Process 900 may be performed by mobilebroadcast receiver 110. A first broadcast stream may be processed at themobile broadcast receiver to obtain live content from the firstbroadcast stream (block 912). User selection to display stored contentwith the live content may be received (block 914). The stored contentmay then be retrieved from memory at the mobile broadcast receiver(block 916). Prior to processing the first broadcast stream, anotherbroadcast stream may be processed at the mobile broadcast receiver, andthe content from this broadcast stream may be stored in the memory. Thestored content may also be other content obtained in other manners. Inany case, the live content and the stored content may be displayedsimultaneously at the mobile broadcast receiver (block 918).

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 simultaneously receivesand processes multiple broadcast streams, which may be displayed on oneor more display units. In one design, multiple broadcast streams may bepresented on display unit 122 at mobile broadcast receiver 110. Inanother design, one broadcast stream may be presented on display unit122 at mobile broadcast receiver 110, and another broadcast stream maybe presented on display unit 156 at external device 150. In yet anotherdesign, multiple broadcast streams may be presented on display unit 156at external device 150. In general, any number of broadcast streams maybe received simultaneously and presented on any number of display units.

FIG. 10 shows a design of a process 1000 for simultaneously receivingand displaying multiple broadcast streams. Multiple broadcast streamsmay be received at a mobile broadcast receiver (block 1012). Themultiple broadcast streams may be displayed on at least one display unit(block 1014). In one design, the multiple broadcast streams aredisplayed on one display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver. Inanother design, the broadcast streams may be displayed on multipledisplay units at the mobile broadcast unit. In another design, a firstbroadcast stream may be displayed on a first display unit at the mobilebroadcast receiver, and a second broadcast stream may be displayed on asecond display unit at an external device. In yet another design, themultiple broadcast streams may be displayed on one display unit at anexternal device.

In another aspect, mobile broadcast receiver 110 collects userstatistics and sends the collected statistics back to a designatednetwork entity, e.g., a content provider, a network operator, etc. Thecollected statistics may be for viewing habits of the user and mayinclude information such as the type of content watched, the frequencyof content retrieval, the time of content retrieval, the location ofcontent retrieval, etc. The collected statistics may be reported wheninitiated by the user, the content provider, the network operator, orsome other entity. When reporting is initiated, the collected statisticsmay be processed by processor/controller 130, conditioned by transmitter(TMTR) 114, and send via the reverse link to the designated networkentity. The reverse link may be a wireless link (as shown in FIG. 1) ora wireline link. The collected statistics may be used to select contentsto send in the future, to select the time when contents are sent, and/orfor other purposes.

FIG. 11 shows a design of a process 1100 for collecting and reportinguser statistics. Process 1100 may be performed by mobile broadcastreceiver 110. User selections for broadcast contents may be receivedover a period of time (block 1112). Statistics of user viewing habitsmay be determined based on the user selections and collected at themobile broadcast receiver (block 1114). The collected statistics maycomprise the type of content watched, the frequency of contentretrieval, the time of content retrieval, the location of contentretrieval, some other information, or a combination thereof. Thecollected statistics may be reported (e.g., sent via a reverse link in acellular system) to a designated network entity (block 1116).

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearlyillustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, variousillustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have beendescribed above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performedwith a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Ageneral-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with thedisclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a softwaremodule executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. Asoftware module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, theprocessor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in auser terminal.

In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by ageneral purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carryor store desired program code means in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purposeprocessor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to theexamples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of receiving broadcast information,comprising: processing a broadcast stream at a mobile broadcast receiverto obtain output data; and sending the output data to a first externaldevice for additional processing or display, wherein the output datacomprises content from the broadcast stream and the first externaldevice displays the content.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinprocessing the broadcast stream at the mobile broadcast receivercomprises: demodulating and decoding the broadcast stream to obtain theoutput data, and wherein the first external device decompresses theoutput data to obtain the content from the broadcast stream.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: sending the output data to asecond external device for additional processing or display.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the output data is sent simultaneously to thefirst and second external devices via multicast transmission.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the output data is sent separately to thefirst and second external devices via point-to-point transmission. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving multiple broadcaststreams at the mobile broadcast receiver; and displaying at least one ofthe multiple broadcast streams on at least one display unit at themobile broadcast receiver.
 7. An apparatus for a mobile broadcastreceiver, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor configured toprocess a broadcast stream to obtain output data; and a communicationunit configured to send the output data to a first external device foradditional processing or display, wherein the output data comprisescontent from the broadcast stream and the first external device displaysthe content.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: demodulate and decode the broadcast streamto obtain the output data, wherein the first external devicedecompresses the output data to obtain the content from the broadcaststream.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication unit isconfigured to send the output data to a second external device foradditional processing or display.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe output data is sent simultaneously to the first and second externaldevices via multicast transmission.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the output data is sent separately to the first and secondexternal devices via point-to-point transmission.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:receive multiple broadcast streams at the mobile broadcast receiver, andprovide at least one of the multiple broadcast streams for display on atleast one display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver.
 13. Anapparatus for receiving broadcast information, the apparatus comprising:means for processing a broadcast stream at a mobile broadcast receiverto obtain output data; and means for sending the output data to a firstexternal device for additional processing or display, wherein the outputdata comprises content from the broadcast stream and the first externaldevice displays the content.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein themeans for processing the broadcast stream at the mobile broadcastreceiver comprises: means for demodulating and decoding the broadcaststream to obtain the output data, and wherein the first external devicedecompresses the output data to obtain the content from the broadcaststream.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means forsending the output data to a second external device for additionalprocessing or display.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the outputdata is sent simultaneously to the first and second external devices viamulticast transmission.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theoutput data is sent separately to the first and second external devicesvia point-to-point transmission.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising: means for receiving multiple broadcast streams at the mobilebroadcast receiver; and means for displaying at least one of themultiple broadcast streams on at least one display unit at the mobilebroadcast receiver.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions for receiving broadcast information, which whenexecuted by a processor cause the processor to: process a broadcaststream at a mobile broadcast receiver to obtain output data; and sendthe output data to a first external device for additional processing ordisplay, wherein the output data comprises content from the broadcaststream and the first external device displays the content.
 20. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions whichwhen executed by a processor cause the processor to process thebroadcast stream at the mobile broadcast receiver are configured tocause the processor to: demodulate and decode the broadcast stream toobtain the output data, and wherein the first external devicedecompresses the output data to obtain the content from the broadcaststream.
 21. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the mediumcomprising instructions which when executed by a processor cause theprocessor to: send the output data to a second external device foradditional processing or display.
 22. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 21, wherein the output data is sent simultaneously to the firstand second external devices via multicast transmission.
 23. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the output data is sentseparately to the first and second external devices via point-to-pointtransmission.
 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, the mediumfurther comprising instructions which when executed by a processor causethe processor to: receive multiple broadcast streams at the mobilebroadcast receiver; and display at least one of the multiple broadcaststreams on at least one display unit at the mobile broadcast receiver.